Pictured: Skovby SM50 Bar Stool

As modern life becomes gets busier with an "on-the-go" focus, more and more people are incorporating bars and islands into their kitchen designs. They are a great seating station for a breakfast meal, a social gathering or even as a replacement for that neglected dining table.

This is why it's so important to find the right bar stool for the setting, but there are many points to consider.

Size Matters

It may seem obvious but always measure the height of your bar or island. Make a note of the measurement from the floor to the underside of the tabletop and you can then calculate what size bar stool will be perfect for you.

A breakfast bar can be anywhere between 30 - 44 inches high while a kitchen island is on average 36 inches tall. So it is important to take note of your own measurements.

As a general rule, you want your barstool seat to be 10-12 inches shorter than the table-top, to give you enough legroom and space without feeling too cramped.

Now if you go for a stool with an adjustable height setting, you're in the clear for a variety of sizes or if you ever want to place it somewhere else.

Style & Purpose

This all comes down to your home interior. If you're going for ultra-modern and sleek, go for a leather cover. For something softer and homely, choose a fabric.

Firstly, think about how often you'll be using it and for what purpose. For many busy lifestyles, a kitchen island or bar is a mini-replacement for a home office. It can be where you sort finances or do the odd bit of work on your laptop in-between shifts, so you'll preferably want something with an encompassing shape and armrests.

If it's mostly for daily dining and you're wanting something to stylishly tuck away, we recommend going for an armless, open-style seating or even a circular swivel stool. This can almost always tuck underneath the edge for a discreet look or purely if your floorplan doesn't allow it.

Swivel stools are also a great way to give a home that genuine 'local bar' appeal, not to mention they're easier to get in and out of.


Pictured: Cooper Bar Stools

Take Care

A bar stool is very easy to maintain, leather even more so as any spills can be swiftly wiped away with a damp cloth. For material covers, extra care should be taken but do not use any detergents on both, as these chemicals could affect the colour and quality of the material long term.

The tall, slim metal frames are easy to clean and only require a wipe or dust once a week to keep their radiance.

Don't Forget

It's good practice to keep 15 cm between each bar stool, this is deemed to be the perfect distance in terms of personal comfort and also gives a tasteful appearance when not in use. Be sure to leave more space for a swivel stool, the last thing you want is a game of bumper-knee's with the person next to you.

Don't overdo it, keep in mind the space you should have between each stool and how many of them you can fit by the counter, clogging the space up with too many stools can cause clutter.

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